Wallace Neff 1968

Circa 1968, this Wallace Neff home embodies his traditional style while still looking towards the future.

The large, blank facade is classic Neff. This style harkens his massive, sprawling Pasadena estates from the 20's and 30's. This home also has a massive pitched roof that first mad its appearance post World War II in Neff's work. The rich beams further the ties to the past, just as the walls of windows provide a glimpse into the homes of the future.

The Philharmonic House of Design

This home was the 2009 Orange County Philharmonic House of Design. Touted as a home that " evokes the glamour and sophistication of the Wallace Neff period with an emphasis on timelessness and contemporary sensibility." Sure...

This view of the house is magnificent! I love the fountain and the pure white stucco of the house.

However, if we take a step forward we learn that the exterior is not all it seems to be. The unusually large stone carvings seem a tad Addison Mizner and the chunky balcony to the left throws the whole composition off balance. Also, the balcony above the door seems to harken Palm Beach as well, not the California stlye of the 1930's.

Once inside you'll see why I like this house. I love this extra tall ceiling and that there is wood throughout.

My favorite part of the dinning room is the use of substantial materials. The dark wood ceiling is perfect, as is the beautiful globe chandelier.

The kitchen is a pleasant foray into the modern world. I like its stark, angular look when compared with the rest of the house. The only thing that gets me is the oven placement... it's just a little awkward.

My favorite part of the family room are the hanging wall sconces and how they appear out of the drapes! Also the piece of furniture with the fun print is awesome!

I love the cool geometry of the master baths flooring!

These wall hangings are beyond words!

Ahhhhhhh, what a pool! It is a tad big but I enjoy how it weaves around the house.

This home was for sale but was recently withdrawn from the market. It lies behind the big gates of Shady Canyon, taunting me to try and see it in real life.

Good vs Bad

Since I seem to have taken up the task of saying what is right and wrong in the architectural world I would like to make a few comparisons.

For a mere $15,499,000 this crisp interpretation of a Wallace Neff home could be yours. As an added bonus it is located behind the prestigious gates of Shady Canyon. Needless to say, this is VERY good.

And then there is the bad, and when I say bad I mean atrocious.

And a big thank you to Ladera Ranch for its EXTREMELY lax architectural standards or else nouveaux riches wouldn't have a place to display their lack-luster style.